Our congregations and our movement exist because of the generation that came before us. They painstakingly gathered. They collected resources. They poured their effort and financial generosity into building the spaces we now know as our congregations. They created something intentional and valuable, knowing they might not live to see all its fruits.
Today we honour them. For all they have done. For all they continue to do. For all they are.
How We Honour Our Elders
There are many ways to honour our elders. The everyday acts matter deeply.
A visit. A phone call. An invitation to share a meal, or bringing them one. Simply sitting and listening to their stories. Asking them to contribute, to be part of our life, to share the wisdom they’ve earned through decades of living. These are profound acts of honour. They say: you matter. You belong. We want to know you.
And there is more we can do.
The Real Challenges of Older Age
As our elders move through their later years, they face real difficulties. Isolation — whether geographic, social, or simply the loneliness that can come when a partner dies or when mobility changes. The weight of loss, accumulated over time. Questions about purpose and relevance: do I still matter? Can I still contribute? Health transitions that bring uncertainty and fear. The simple heaviness that can come in later years, even for those who are thriving in many ways.
These are not abstract challenges. They’re real, and they’re happening in our congregations right now.
What Support Looks Like
Across communities, people are finding ways to support their elders — on small scales and larger ones.
On smaller scales: regular phone trees. Visiting circles where people commit to checking in. Meals brought to homes. Simple gatherings where elders can connect with peers. Listening circles where people share what it means to grow older. Intergenerational dinners.
On larger scales: mentorship programs where elders intentionally pass on skills and knowledge to younger people. Storytelling initiatives where elder voices are recorded and shared. Peer support groups for people navigating specific transitions — grief, retirement, health changes. Volunteer opportunities where elders’ skills are matched to needs in the community. Gathering spaces — perhaps a congregational café open on certain afternoons — where generations work together, where younger people learn from elders while serving them, where community happens.
A Partnership Opportunity
We are grateful to learn that the Government of Canada is supporting this work. The New Horizons for Seniors Program offers up to $50,000 in grant funding for community-based projects designed by seniors for seniors. Since 2004, the program has funded over 45,000 projects across Canada — mentorship circles, peer support groups, skill-sharing initiatives, storytelling programs, intergenerational projects, and gathering spaces.
And we recognize something important: we are the perfect place for such grants: we have the infrastructure and relationships to do this work. We know how to gather. We have spaces. We have elders who have spent decades building community.
When we invest in honouring them — in creating space for them to contribute, to lead, to be seen — we strengthen not just their lives, but our entire community.
The government has recognized that this work matters. We already know it. What we now have is an opportunity to partner with that support and make something real.
You can learn and apply for this grant here
Moving Forward Together
The CUC is hosting a support session on June 21 to help congregations explore this opportunity.
Michael Jodah will walk us through:
- How the New Horizons for Seniors Program works
- Real examples of what congregations across Canada have created
- How to develop an idea by listening to your elders
- What CUC support is available
You don’t need a finished proposal or grant-writing experience. You need:
- A conversation with your elders: What would you like to create together?
- Willingness to listen
- Time: the application deadline is July 14, 2026
The CUC will help you develop your idea, review your application, and support you through submission. You won’t be doing this alone.
Federal Seniors Grant Support Session
Sunday, June 21, 2026
5:00 p.m. PT | 6:00 p.m. MT | 7:00 p.m. CT | 8:00 p.m. ET | 9:00 p.m. AT | 9:30 p.m. NT
Online
Michael Jodah, CUC Executive Director, will help congregations and UU-affiliated groups explore the New Horizons for Seniors Program and develop project ideas.
Questions? Contact the CUC at info@cuc.ca
This is for every congregation shaped by the generation before us. For every elder who has given without counting the cost. For all of us who believe in honouring those who built our communities — through everyday acts of care and through larger commitments to create spaces where elders can thrive, contribute, and be seen.